Virginia Legislation Would Make Fake Bands Even More Reprehensible Than Usual

If you’re a pretend Pip, a pseudo Supreme, or a faux Foo, you may want to avoid booking any gigs in Virginia, where the government is cracking down on “impostor” musical acts:

Virginia would have a truth-in-music-advertising law under legislation that soon will land on the desk of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

Yesterday, the House of Delegates endorsed a bill, on a 97-2 vote, that is intended to prevent and punish faux bands and protect the rights of original recording artists. The measure, sponsored by Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, unanimously passed the Senate last week.

Kaine, who played harmonica with a bluegrass band at his inaugural ball, seems ready to play along with the measure.

“A governor who has been known to jam with other musicians thinks this legislation hits the right note,” said Kevin Hall, the governor’s press secretary.

Alas, the bill–which is expected to be signed and go into effect by July 1–only covers artists that illegally misappropriate another act’s name; it doesn’t apply to groups who own the rights to their name, but yet only employ a handful of original members. Which means that those of you hoping to have Mike Love arrested the minute he steps onto the stage at this summer’s Fairfax State Fair & Balloon Expo will have to push for tougher legislation.